A total of 47 PBA aspirants have filed their applications for this year's PBA Rookie Draft set on August 19 at Market Market in Taguig. This year's draft is touted to be the deepest in years that could rival the 2003 Draft and the 1989 Draft.

UAAP MVP Ken Bono, Baby Shaq JR Quinahan and 6-10 Samigue Eman led all big men in the draft, that also include Fil-Am Joe Devance, ex-Ateneo stars JC Intal, Macky Escalona, and Doug Kramer, San Beda’s Yousif Aljamal, UP's Marvin Cruz, De LaSalle's Ryan Araña, Reed Juntilla, Fil-Am Ryan Reyes and ex-UST star Jojo Duncil. Because of the incredible depth of this year's draft, the league is thinking of expanding the rounds from the usual two-round draft the past two years to possibly three.

Devance, however, is not yet officially in the draft as he has yet to submit his confirmation papers from the Department of Justice. If he makes it, he will bring another quality big man in the draft pool.

The Welcoat Dragons will pick first after winning the draft lottery over the Coca Cola Tigers. The Coke pick however, has been seeded to San Miguel Beer to complete the trade several years ago (Dale Singson trade if you can remember). This early, Welcoat is eyeing University of Mindanao giant Samigue Eman to be the team's first pick overall. San Miguel is reportedly interested with JC Intal to complete their Ateneo Blue Eagles connection.

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When the Alaska Aces made a deal for Willie Miller May of last year, the coaching staff and management had high expectations for the Olongapo City native. With Miller they figured they have a chance to relive their glory days in the 90s.

Willie Miller, the 2007 PBA MVP, made the Talk N Text Phonepals regret why they traded him. He fell a point shy (22 points) of his finals average but delivered the goods when it mattered most for the Aces as he led Alaska to a 99-96 steering triumph over the Phonepals in game 7 of 2006-07 PBA Fiesta Cup.

Miller made a crucial basket, forced Macmac Cardona into a turnover, and set up Rossel Ellis for a twinner as the Aces surged to a four-point lead 98-94 with time down to 44.5 seconds, a cushion which they would protect until the final buzzer. The Phonepals had a chance to bring the game into overtime but a JJ Sullinger heave from the left flank just bounced off the rim. It was the Aces' 12th title since 1986. They're the 3rd winningest franchise in history and will tie with Crispa for second if they win another title in the future. The Phonepals is now 0-3 on Game 7s.

Macmac Cardona started like a house on fire, scoring 21 of his 29 points in the first half as the Phonepals built an eight-point advantage 53-45 going into the second half. They, however, wouldn't be able to sustain their fiery run as the Aces slowly cut down on their lead and built momentum of their own led by Fiesta Cup Best Import Rossel Ellis. Ellis was a virtual workhorse inside the paint as he led the Aces comeback in the second half. He fell one assist shy of a triple double (30 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists), and made a strong case that he deserved the Best Import award. After Alaska turned things around in the fourth quarter, JJ Sullinger almost singlehandedly carried back the Phonepals into the game scoring a three-point basket after a three-point basket but that last heave (a miss) at the buzzer spelled the Phonepals' doom. It was a sorry loss for the Phonepals who had two chances to bag the Fiesta Cup crown but couldn't put away the stubborn Aces.

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Just got a text a few minutes ago. Team Pilipinas just finished off Iran, 89-79.

It is a good victory for our national cagers considering they just came from another heartbreaking loss to Jordan, 70-74, yesterday. As you would have read by now, Kerby Raymundo had a chance to tie the ballgame with two free throws (RP down then by 2, 68-70, with 1:03 to go in the game). However... you guessed it. Two free throws muffed.

It might interest all of you to know that both Jordan and Iran are bracketed with the Philippines and China in the "Group of Death" for the FIBA-Asia Qualifiers, which will take place at the end of this month (July 2007). The top two teams of each group advance to the quarters and so on. Assuming that we'll be waylaid by China (hope not, though), we will need to beat both Jordan and Iran to obviously assure ourselves entry to the next round. Or if we'll only manage a 1-2 record, we'll have to rely both on hardwork (win by as many points as we can and lose by as few as possible --- quotient system) and help from Lady Luck (that Iran, Jordan, and the Philippines cancel out each other's win) to move into the next round via photo finish.

I am quite satisfied with the way Team Pilipinas has played in this 29th edition of the Jones Cup. If we had played it more intelligently and carefully, we would've been sporting a 6-0 win-loss record by now. Our three losses: to Lebanon, 62-65 (via a last second 3-point shot that went off the glass); to Japan, 82-84 (via a dying-seconds-turnover by Dondon Hontiveros, en route to a breakaway layup for the marginal basket); and to Jordan, as mentioned above.

Chot and his wards came to the Jones Cup to study and practice. I believe they are doing their job well.

Keep it up, Boys!

Just barely two days after being shipped to Red Bull, Rommel Adducul finds himself in the land of the Giants. Nelson Beltran of the Philippine Star reports that Red Bull and Purefoods have already reached an agreement to swap the Cagayan-native with seldom-used forward Don Camaso. Red Bull acquired Adducul earlier from San Miguel in a direct trade that netted the Beermen up and coming superstar Enrico Villanueva. Adducul's entry into the Purefoods lineup finally gives the Giants a legitimate big man it long covets. He will give the Giants the interior presence they desperately need. He is, I think, the perfect complement to Kerby's game because he plays back-to-the-basket (in contrast to Kerby who prefers the face-up game), does not demand the ball in the low post, and plays within the team system.

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After months of negotiation, an agreement has been finally reached between Red Bull and San Miguel. Nelson Beltran of Philippine Star reports that the Red Bull Barakos have already consummated a deal with San Miguel for the transfer of Enrico Villanueva for disgruntled center Rommel Adducul. It was a one-on-one trade and at hindsight looks to be terribly one-sided in favor of San Miguel. Could it be there was a "cash" involved? Hmm.

Adducul now has a chance to play in the spotlight, away from the shadows of Danny Ildefonso and Dorian Pena, and look to finally live up to his billing as RP basketball's next important big man. He has been a big disappointment in his 4-year stint in the league thus far. He requested for a trade as he was not getting the playing time he expected when he was dealt from Ginebra.

If there is one coach who can help Adducul realize his goals, it is Yeng Guiao. Guiao is responsible for the ascension of Villanueva to one of pro league's elite big men and he is doing the same to Carlo Sharma.

Villanueva will now be reunited with his ex-Ateneo teammates at San Miguel: LA Tenorio and Wesley Gonzales. Olsen Racela is also an Ateneo alum, just as head coach Chot Reyes. Expect Larry Fonacier, Rich Alvarez and Paolo Bugia to follow suit (if the price is right). It looks like the Beermen are building their own Ateneo line up. With a high draft pick in the 2007 draft, the Beermen are said to be eyeing another Ateneo alum JC Intal.

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News around the league have the Red Bull Barakos franchise player Enrico Villanueva on the trading block. Villanueva has been struggling this season for Red Bull, and the emergence of former Shell benchwarmer Carlo Sharma have made him somewhat expendable.

According to reports, Villanueva and sophomore guard Larry Fonacier are headed to San Miguel for Rommel Adducul and Brandon Lee Cablay. A third team, Purefoods is also looking to make it three-way in the hopes of addressing their woes in the frontcourt. The Giants are reportedly dangling sophomore Jondan Salvador and a future draft pick or Jun Simon to land their coveted big man.

It is still unclear how this deal works out. Both the SMC and Photokina franchise have been mum on the issue and have not made any confirmation regarding the proposed deal. According to league insiders, San Miguel is hellbent on making this deal work, the hitch being the provisions of the Restricted Trading List (RTL) which prevents Villanueva from being dealt to another team in exchange for non-RTL players. If they intend to make this deal go down, the Beermen would have to part ways with Danny Seigle, and Purefoods with 2005-06 MVP James Yap or Kerby Raymundo. I don't think both clubs would consent to this kind of deal and would probably ask the Commissioner, instead, to replace Villanueva with either Junthy Valenzuela or Mick Pennisi in the RTL.

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Series is tied 2-2

The Gin Kings came with all guns ablazed to complete a rout of the Beermen 146-111 to even the championship series of the 2006-07 PBA Talk N Text Philippine Cup at 2 wins apiece. Mark Caguioa, Eric Menk and Rudy Hatfield conspired in 13-3 run in the opening quarter to give the Gin Kings a 32-24 lead which they never relinquished until the final buzzer. Six Gin Kings scored in double figures led by Caguioa's 25 points. Dondon Hontiveros paced the struggling Beermen with 20 points. Danny Seigle and Dorian Pena had 18 points each. Tugade was held to only 4 points after scoring 25 points the previous game. The Beermen have already lost twice in a row, in lopsided fashion at that. Games will resume on February 21 (Wednesday).

Scores:
Ginebra 146 – Caguioa 25, Helterbrand 21, Salvacion 20, Menk 15, Hatfield 14, Abarrientos 11, Tubid 9, Macapagal 8, Mamaril 7, Reavis 7, Holper 5, Seigle 4.
San Miguel 111 – Hontiveros 20, Seigle 18, Pena 18, Calaguio 15, Racela 10, Ildefonso 6, Adducul 5, Espinas 4, Tugade 4, Wilson 4, Gonzales 2.
Quarterscores: 32-24, 71-49, 116-78, 146-111

Full Recap / Complete Boxscores

San Miguel leads series 2-1

Brgy Ginebra knew they had to win game 3 to help save the series for the Gin Kings and win they did. Fil-am Rafi Reavis rebounded mightily from his lousy game 2 performance with a 13-point 15-rebound game to help Brgy Ginebra to a 131-101 rout of San Miguel Beer in the 2006-07 PBA Talk N Text Philippine Cup finals. Injured forward Eric Menk finally played significant minutes and contributed 12 points and 11 points. Rudy Hatfield, Mark Caguioa, Ronald Tubid and Jayjay Helterbrand all scored in double figures with the H-bomb leading the way with 28 points. San Miguel was paced by leading scorer Danny Seigle with 26 points. Lordy Tugade was effective from the outside with 25 points but couldn't find enough support from his teammates. Dondon Hontiveros was the missing link with only 5 points after scoring in double figures the previous two games.

Scores:
Ginebra 131 - Hatfield 28, Caguioa 26, Tubid 19, Helterbrand 14, Reavis 13, Menk 12, Salvacion 9, Abarrientos 6, Holper 2, Mamaril 2, Macapagal 0.
San Miguel 101 - Seigle 26, Tugade 25, Wilson 10, Racela 10, Tenorio 8, Calaguio 8, Pena 7, Hontiveros 5, Adducul 2, Espinas 0, Gonzales 0.
Quarterscores: 23-26, 56-55, 99-81, 131-101

Full Recap / Complete Boxscores

In the PBA, personnel movement are not only limited to players but coaches as well. Yesterday, the Sta. Lucia Realtors named ertswhile assistant coach Teodorico "Boyet" Fernandez III as the team's new head coach in lieu of Alfrancis Chua. Chua has been elevated to the consultancy level for the second time. Adonis Tierra and Cholo Martin will stay as assistant coaches. Chua will be leaving for the US shortly to attend several coaching and management seminars. He will continue to be part of the company’s basketball operations. Meanwhile, Joel Banal has already returned to the Alaska coaching staff as one of Tim Cone's assistants. Banal reportedly signed for a six-month contract but it is not known if he would assume the head coaching post after that. Senator Robert Jaworski, the PBA's Living Legend, is said to be entertaining an offer from Air21 (Talk N Text has been rumored too but we had no confirmation on that yet) for the head coaching position or as head of basketball operations. This was confirmed by no less than his son Dudut Jaworski. If Jaworski makes it to Air21, expect him to assume full authority with regards to the team's basketball operations. It could be recalled that Jaworski resigned from his Ginebra post in 1999 after SMC appointed Allan Caidic as player-coach. Air21's penchance for trading players and 12-man coaching philosophy (or fielding all 12 players in a game) could pose as a problem. Jawo is a believer in loyalty (loyal players I mean) and does not want to be dictated upon involving basketball matters, including fielding of players in a game. If Jawo makes it to the Express, expect the team's popularity rating to go up. It would be exciting to see Jawo and the Express facing Ginebra in a game.

San Miguel leads series 2-0

Danny Seigle and Mark Caguioa engaged in a fiery combat but when the smoke of the battle cleared, it was San Miguel on top 104-101. The Beermen gain a 2-0 lead in the 2006-07 PBA Talk N Text Philippine Cup finals heading into game 3. Rafi Reavis bungled two free throws that could have tied the game at 101 with 24 seconds left on the clock. The Gin Kings still had an opportunity to win the game but with 12 seconds left but Reavis elected to shoot from three point distance as time ran out. The Beermen led by double digits most of the game but a Ginebra rally in the fourth quarter made the game interesting in the end game. The Gin Kings cut the deficit to one 95-96 with over a minute a left in the clock but couldn't squeeze through with a win.

Scores:
San Miguel 104 – Seigle 31, Hontiveros 22, Tugade 19, Racela 11, Tenorio 9, Adducul 5, Calaguio 3, Wilson 2, Pena 2, Espinas 0, Gonzales 0.
Ginebra 101 – Caguioa 32, Hatfield 20, Helterbrand 12, Reavis 10, Salvacion 7, Mamaril 6, Tubid 4, Menk 4, Abarrientos 4, Macapagal 2.
Quarterscores: 27-30, 56-52, 83-69, 104-101

Full Recap / Complete Boxscores

San Miguel leads series 1-0

Lordy Tugade played his best game in a San Miguel uniform and Danny Seigle continued his offensive assault firing 27 and 22 points, respectively to dominate the Brgy Ginebra Gin Kings 118-94 in game 1 of the All-Filipino Finals. Tugade scored 18 of his 27 points, spiked by three triples in the first half to help the Beermen pull away from a tight first quarter. Dorian Pena had 18 points and 12 rebounds. Mark Caguioa led the way for the Gin Kings with 30 points. Rudy Hatfield contributed 22 points and 8 rebounds.

Scores:
San Miguel 118 – Tugade 27, Seigle 22, Pena 18, Tenorio 12, Calaguio 10, Wilson 7, Racela 7, Hontiveros 6, Adducul 5, Espinas 2, Gonzales 2.
Ginebra 94 – Caguioa 30, Hatfield 22, Tubid 12, Abarrientos 12, Helterbrand 6, Salvacion 5, Reavis 4, Mamaril 2, Macapagal 1, Holper 0, Seigle 0.
Quarterscores: 29-23, 62-42, 89-72, 118-94

Full Recap / Complete Boxscores

Talk N Text wins battle of 3rd

The Talk N Text Phonepals pounced on a listless Red Bull squad 124-111 to cop third place in the tournament. The Phonepals were led by Asi Taulava, Anthony Washington and Harvey Carey - all scoring with at least 22 points. Cyrus Baguio was the lone bright spot for Red Bull with 27 points. It was the highest finish for the Phonepals in the All-Filipino tournament since figuring in the finals with Ginebra two years ago. It was also the highest finish attained by coach Derrick Pumaren since he coached the championship-winning squad of Sunkist back in 1995.

Scores:
Talk ‘N Text 124 – Taulava 30, Washington 27, Carey 22, Ritualo 13, de Ocampo 8, Belano 7, Fran 6, Noble 6, Alapag 2.
Red Bull 111 – Baguio 27, Villanueva 18, Valenzuela 15, Pennisi 10, Najorda 9, Alvarez 9, Bugia 8, Sharma 6, Cruz 4, Fonacier 3, Membrere 2.
Quarterscores: 37-30, 63-52, 97-78, 124-111

Full Recap / Complete Boxscores

San Miguel wins series 4-3

There wasn't anyone on the Ginebra bench who could contain Danny Seigle and you know that when Seigle explodes, San Miguel usually wins. Dynamite Danny finished with 36 points and was ably backstopped by gunner Dondon Hontiveros who had his own explosive night with 31 points to lead the Beermen to series clinching win 119-115 over Red Bull and advance to the 2006-07 PBA Talk N Text Philippine Cup finals opposite the Brgy Ginebra Gin Kings. Red Bull last lead 69-66 on a Larry Fonacier three-pointer early in the third quarter but Seigle conspired with Willie Wilson to complete an 8-0 run with eight minutes left in the third to push the Beermen on top. Enrico Villanueva's 17 points lead four other Barakos in double digits.

Scores:
San Miguel 119 - Seigle 36, Hontiveros 31, Tenorio 12, Wilson 8, Pena 8, Tugade 5, Racela 5, Espinas 4, Adducul 4, Ildefonso 4, Gonzales 2, Calaguio 0.
Red Bull 115 - Villanueva 17, Fonacier 16, Valenzuela 16, Pennisi 16, Sharma 14, Baguio 9, Robinson 7, Najorda 6, Alvarez 6, Bugia 4, Cruz 3, Membrere 1.
Quarterscores: 26-26, 64-59, 88-81, 119-115

Full Recap / Complete Boxscores

Series tied 3-3

Red Bull bucked the ejection of coach Yeng Guiao and leaned on guard Celino Cruz' heroics in the end game to win game 6 104-100 and arranged a sudden-death game 7 on Wednesday. Guiao was ejected late in the second quarter on two technical fouls triggered by his collision with Beermen Dondon Hontiveros. Cruz scored nine of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, including two free throws that iced the game with 4 seconds left. It was also Cruz' three pointer that pushed Red Bull to a two-point lead they would later increase to seven 102-95 with less than two minutes left. A late San Miguel rally anchored on Danny Seigle and rookie LA Tenorio cut the deficit to just two 100-102. San Miguel had a chance to forged overtime but Danny Seigle missed a potential game-tying shot off Enrico Villanueva allowing Red Bull to escape with a win. The winner of the Wednesday game will face crowd favorite Ginebra Gin Kings in the All Filipino finals while the loser meets Talk N Text in the one-game battle for third.

Scores:
Red Bull 104 – Cruz 19, Baguio 18, Villanueva 18, Najorda 15, Fonacier 7, Alvarez 7, Valenzuela 6, Robinson 5, Pennisi 5, Sharma 4.
San Miguel 100 – Seigle 22, Tugade 16, Hontiveros 16, Ildefonso 16, Pena 10, Calaguio 6, Gonzales 5, Racela 4, Tenorio 3, Adducul 2, Wilson 0.
Quarterscores: 37-32, 50-53, 70-81, 104-100

Full Recap / Complete Boxscore

Brgy Ginebra wins series 4-2

Rudy Hatfield had a monster game (28 points, 12 rebounds) but it was the spitfirish guard Ronald Tubid who ignited the breakaway that finally put away the Talk N Text Phonepals 98-89. Mark Caguioa went down on leg cramps with still four minutes left on the clock but Tubid more than made up for his absence with several heads up play. Tubid got the goat of everyone, including Macmac Cardona who was ejected late in the third for kicking him in the tummy while he was still lying down. Cardona's ejection dealt a serious blow to the Phonepals' hopes of tying the series. Caguioa tallied only 15 points, his lowest in the series but Ginebra reserves Tubid, Sunday Salvacion and Billy Mamaril atoned for his lousy performance. Talk N Text led 57-47 early in the third quarter but a big Ginebra spurt led by Mamaril keyed a 28-14 run to grab the lead 75-66 at the end of the third quarter. A three-pointer by Anthony Washington midway in the final canto pushed the Phonepals to their last lead of the game 83-79. Eleven straight points by the Gin Kings led by Hatfield and Salvacion, however, broke the spirits of the Phonepals. The Gin Kings will now be making their 16th finals appearance, including eight in the All-Filipino. The Gin Kings await the winner of the San Miguel-Red Bull semifinals showdown on Wednesday.

Earlier, Johnny Abbarientos completed one steal in the game to overtake the legendary Ramon Fernandez (1,302) into the number one spot in the league’s all-time steals leader list.

Scores:
Barangay Ginebra 98 – Hatfield 28, Caguioa 15, Tubid 13, Salvacion 13, Mamaril 9, Reavis 8, Helterbrand 5, Holper 4, Abarrientos 3, Macapagal 0.
Talk ‘N Text 89 – Washington 21, Alapag 19, Cardona 12, Taulava 11, Ritualo 11, Carey 5, de Ocampo Y. 5, Belano 3, Noble 2, Fran 0.
Quarterscores: 15-21, 42-48, 71-66, 98-89

Full Recap / Complete Boxscore